It's blustery today but the rain is holding off. I'll take a walk to the sea-front later where this strong wind will be even more robust. I've finished the two paintings, at last. I can now turn my attention to the new canvas on the easel. It's a relief to be able to leave behind those last images of France and indulge in the beautiful images of Spring in South Wales.

Sunday, 27 March 2011

Looking through images of past work I came across this painting from France two summers ago. It went into the Albany Show last February where it was sold. I remember I was already thinking of going back to Britain and home - hence the name. It's September and the colours show this. Looking at the palette I'm using now to reflect Autumn in France I am struck by how different the colours are and what a difference two months make in the landscape.

I thought I had finished the two new paintings but when I come back to look at them in the studio each morning I realise I'm not quite there.I worked on the smaller of the two yesterday and more work today should see it completed.The second larger canvas "The Road Home" needs a little more work. Both are France inspired; the beautiful autumn landscape of October and November very much in my mind as I paint.

Friday, 25 March 2011

I no longer have this painting, it was sold a few years ago, but I remember the time when I painted it. I worked from my studio in Cardiff Bay and for a number of reasons couldn't get to France that year. My images were all of the sea, the boats and the curious juxtaposition of the city buildings. My palette was made up of blues and greys. The vivid colours of the South of France were missing that year.

Friday, 18 March 2011

Thursday, 17 March 2011

The days are getting warmer and I love it. I've finished two paintings - images from my last couple of months in France when the countryside glowed with the colours of autumn. Tomorrow I start with a blank canvas.

Monday, 14 March 2011

I painted this in 2004 - it's a large canvas and I'm particularly fond of it.I wanted to keep it since it represents a series of paintings of Pembrokeshire all of which are now sold. Nevertheless I took it with me to St Davids Studio Gallery last week. If it sells then that's it. If it doesn't, then it's mine for good!

Wednesday, 9 March 2011

I made the journey to St Davids today to take paintings to the gallery. It was sunny and the sea was blue - something I didn't expect to see, I am so used to the greyness of the water in the Channel here in Penarth. The yellow gorse which characterises the landscape of Pembrokeshire adds a lovely delicate touch of colour to the countryside. I had forgotten how beautiful the drive is after leaving the M4. In the past I did a series of paintings following visits to Pembrokeshire and they have all been sold. After today I have an urge to capture the landscape on canvas again.

Saturday, 5 March 2011

When March 1st comes I expect the sun to shine and Spring to be just around the corner. That's how I remember it as a child when we were given a holiday from school to celebrate St Davids Day. It's still very cold but the sun is actually out and all the promise of Spring is in the air. Daffodils are everywhere. In the bank this morning there were pots of them on every desk and people on the streets of Cardiff wore them on their lapels. Yellow is the best colour for raising my spirits and daffodils in particular always lift my mood.The studio I thought I would get is now not available so I have to start my search again. In the meantime I had a viewing at my house yesterday and sold a painting so work goes on.In the next week or so I will drive to the gallery in St Davids to deliver new work and then get down to business working on paintings for the Summer show at the Albany gallery.Today I had a call from a friend in France to say the sun is shining and the weather improves daily. I have no desire to be there. The next few months April, May and June are especially nice here. I wouldn't want to miss all the signs of regrowth in my garden or miss the flowers which, by the time June comes, will create a mass of colour.At the end of June France will beckon and I'll be packing my paints up again.

About Me

I was born Mary Elizabeth Peckham in New Inn Monmouthshire. I am a painter working from studios in Cardiff and the South of France. I am passionate about painting landscapes and take my inspiration from the Post-War Paris painters. Giacometti and Nicolas de Stael have had the most influence on my painting.